As I continue to reflect on things like this previous post as well as this one, I was pleased to stumble across Scott's blog today and find this, which puts it so wonderfully.

The local church is local. We have to begin serving our neighborhood. I understand reasons why you may drive 45 minutes to find 'the right church,' but this approach cannot produce a legacy, and I do not believe it is a faithful application of the great commission. You should know your neighbors, and the only way you could ever bear their burdens or bring a necessary rebuke against them in times of sin is if you already have a relationship of love and trust. You can’t open up the iron gates once a year “to the community” and expect them to all come running in. You have to know them. You have to serve them. You have to die for them. And as soon as you start working with folks where you currently are, you will have your diversity. It is guaranteed.

Now that is getting to the point of it all. Read the rest here.

Labels: Church, community, local church, mission